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Monday, March 21, 2016

Bio: Tanya
Eavenson enjoys spending time with her husband and their three children. Her
favorite pastime is grabbing a cup of coffee, eating chocolate, and reading a
good book. Tanya is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Word
Weavers International, and writes for Christ to the World Ministries. You can
find her at her website http://www.tanyaeavenson.com/
on Facebook,
Twitter, Goodreads,
Google, or on
Amazon.

Welcome back, Tanya. Why
do you write the kind of books you do?

I believe the
Lord called me to write stories for Him. Several years ago I was diagnosed with
cancer and it was a defining moment, not only dealing with my cancer prognosis,
but asking the Lord if He truly called me to write as I thought or was I
mistaken. But through the fears and searching for God’s direction, I learned He
did indeed place this desire to write on my heart and no matter what I was
facing in my life, that didn’t diminish His call. I’m inspired by the Lord to
write inspirational Christian fiction so people may know the love of Christ. To
know the depth He will go to have a relationship with us. And though we
struggle, He uses us. He uses people like me, the ordinary, to do out of the
ordinary things. Unexpected things—like writing.

Besides when you came
to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

The day I found out I was pregnant. My husband and I had been
through so much within our marriage, our daughter was an answer to prayer and a
precious gift from the Lord.

How has being
published changed your life?

Being published is a journey I’m on as an author, but also
as a follower of Christ. It’s relying on God to direct my path that takes
faith—a lot of faith. This seems funny to say, but sometimes I feel like I’m in
training, allowing God to have His way in my life, and when I do, He uses me to
touch others in ways I’ve never dreamed. I know this for sure, the Lord is
fulfilling a purpose in me, and whether it’s in word or in deed, He will be
glorified.

What are you reading
right now?

As of right now, I’m not reading anything due to my fast
approaching deadlines for my current work in progress The Rescue. However, my reading pile has grown over the last months
and I can’t wait to dive in!

What is your current
work in progress?

I’m changing gears from Contemporary to Historical Romance.
I’m working on a series of novels set in the late 1800’s. The first novel in
the All Roads Lead to Texas
series is called The Rescue and will
release this fall!

What would be your
dream vacation?

My husband and I have always wanted to take a family trip to
Bass Pro Shop in Missouri
and stay in their log cabins, rent a boat, and go fishing. Twice we planned it,
but we’ve had to cancel for various reasons. It’s a simple dream, but I hope
we’ll be able to do in the future.

How do you choose
your settings for each book?

Settings depend on where I’ve lived or where I’d like to
visit. If I’ve never visited the location for my novel, I do research about the
setting and find someone who has lived in the area. This is where research
comes in regardless of whether it’s a contemporary or historical novel.

If you could spend an
evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

I’d love to spend an evening with author Lori Wick. I love
the biblical aspects of her writing and how the characters feel like family. God
was calling me to write, but it wasn’t until I read her The English Garden
Series that I began write. God used her in my life, and I’d like to say thank
you.

What are your
hobbies, besides writing and reading?

You won’t believe it, but it is fishing! I enjoy getting out
in the bass boat and spending a few hours on the water. My dad always wanted a
boy; instead he got a baby girl. He taught me how to fish at an early age, and
it came in handy when I met a guy from my church who loved to fish. =) Now
married nineteen years, my husband said it was one of the things he found
attractive about me, a companion to share his life with.

What is your most
difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

My greatest obstacle is time. I wish I had more of it. =) So
I pray that God allows me to use my time wisely, to give me wisdom on how to
write these stories for Him, and strength as I write.

What advice would you
give to a beginning author?

The best advice I’d give to a new writer besides encouraging
them to study the craft or find a critique group, is to never give up. Writing
isn’t easy. The journey has so many highs and lows that if you give up, you’d
never know the person you’d become, or how your stories impact hearts and lives
in the process.

Tell us about the
featured book.

RESTORED is a
story about lost love being given a second chance. Sometimes love arrives when
you least expect it.

Dr.
Steven Moore is known nationally for saving lives. If only he could save his
own. Unable to deal with his cancer prognosis, he retreats to a happier time in
his past—to the woman who once stole his heart.

Four
years after the death of her beloved husband, bookstore owner Elizabeth Roberts
still struggles to sustain her faith and joy in the Lord as she raises her two
sons. She strives to find a way through her family's grief, never suspecting a
man from her past might offer hope for her future.

But
how can there be a future when he's only come to kiss her and says good-bye?

Please give us the
first page of the book.

Sure! Hope you enjoy!

Prologue

Elizabeth
ran her fingers down the wooden handrail along the stairs, glancing at the
ornate clock on the mantle. “Not much longer now.” Her heart pounded with
excitement as her gaze moved to the framed picture beside the clock and settled
on her husband’s handsome face. Warmth flowed through her as she lifted the portrait
with its silver frame. Chris had just tackled their son, Luke, with the
football in the front yard when she snapped the picture. She touched the glass
over Chris’s blond hair. His hazel eyes peered up at her. She smiled. It still
amazed her how their lives had changed throughout the years, coming back from
the brink of divorce to discovering what unconditional love truly meant. What
they meant to each other.

“Two hours and you’ll be home,” she breathed. This mission
trip to Goma, Africa, kept Chris away for
several weeks this time, but now it was time for him to come home to stay.

She closed her eyes, envisioning Chris’s arms around her.
Tonight, she’d drink in the words of love she’d missed before she fell asleep
every evening, the feel of his body next to hers.

She smiled and pressed a hand against her flat belly. “Yes,
Daddy will be home soon. Won’t he be surprised?” The chime of the doorbell
broke through her thoughts.

She set the frame down and hurried to open the front door. Elizabeth smiled at her sister
and brother-in-law. “Hey, why did you ring the doorbell? You could have come
right in.” She halted. Something in their expressions made her heart race.
“Where’s Luke?” she asked her sister.

Sam’s mouth opened, but no words came out. She grabbed Phillip’s
arm as if she needed support.

Moisture filled Phillip’s eyes. “There’s been an accident.
They tried to call. We tried to call.”

Thank you, Tanya, for
sharing this new book with us. I know my readers are as eager to read it as I
am.

Readers leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

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Congratulations on the release of Restored. I wish that I could say that I had read Unconditional, because I have definitely have wanted to. It's been on my tbr for months I'm even more compelled now with the release of Restored and my desire to now read that one. :)

Hi, Terrill! It's great to have you here! Thank you so much and I can't wait for you to read Unconditional and now Restored. Love to hear what you think about the series. =) Grateful to you for visiting with me today!